Disclaimer: I do not own Dr Quinn or it's characters.

The Unthinkable

The sun pierced the window of the newly painted waiting room. Sully paused from his work to take in the early morning rays. He had been here since just after dawn, going over the Michaela's extensive lists. His wife had planned everything about this hospital in meticulous fashion, every corner, every cent to be spent mapped out on her lists. She wanted to do her mother proud, the Quinn memorial hospital would be stunning Sully was sure of it.

Slowly he stood up and crossed to the door. He knew if the sun was penetrating the waiting room that it was nearly 8 o'clock, and the town would be waking up. He seized his metal cup and leant against the dark wood door frame. He smiled; outside he could see the cafe, the work crew hastily finishing their breakfasts before they rushed over to start their day of work. The town had grown considerably in the last few years. The tents replaced with wooden structures, more boarding houses, family houses, shops, the extended school house, the larger church and now the hospital. The hospital which almost looked out of place with its brick facade but still fitted into the makeup of the town. Though the town had grown he still recognised most of the townsfolk, at least facially. A few years ago he had known everyone by name, but the railway had changed that, the town was growing and there was little he could do about it.

"Pa"

Sully looked up as the wagon rolled into view, he smiled as his family approached. Michaela eased Bear to a stop while Katie eagerly stood up, nearly toppling from the wagon as it jerked to a stop. Sully hurried down the steps reaching his seven year old daughter before she attempted to leap from the wagon. Katie gave him a beaming smile as she practically launched herself into his arms.

"You missed breakfast" she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Ma made pancakes"

"Did she now" Sully smiled lowering her to the ground "Were they good?"

Katie smiled nervously and shook her head while at the same time whispering "Yeah"

Sully shot her a knowing look and held his hand out to assist Michaela from the wagon. She was oblivious to the moment that had just passed between her husband and daughter.

"Thank you. How is it going?" she asked staring up at the brick building.

"Fine everything is on schedule" Sully told her "Just as it was last night when you asked me then" he smiled and eased his arm around his wife's slender waist. "Relax, everything is going perfectly"

Michaela smiled sheepishly. Sully smiled and pulled her tight gently kissing her soft hair.

"I should go" Katie interrupted her parents. Pulling herself up the side of the wagon she collected her school books "I don't want Joy to be late for her first day of school." Quickly kissing her parents the young girl scampered off, heading towards the cafe to collect Grace and Robert E's young daughter.

The team were full of their stories of their escapades the night before. So many of them spent their hard gotten gains in the Golden Nugget, and their conversations where often spent comparing the girls that were on display in the establishment. Harrison sighed and turned his attention back to his breakfast. Many of his team where young men, away from their homes for the first time, they were eager to work to earn their keep so they could spend their wages on turning into men. Harrison felt isolated from them, it wasn't that he was older; he was just a different type to them.

The table shuddered as a young blonde girl stumbled into it. "Sorry mister" Harrison smiled at her, as she shot him a beaming smile. She ran off, hand in hand with a young black girl. Harrison watched the blonde girl go and smiled. It was why he liked Colorado Springs, why he stayed in a job that he did not like. Everyone was so polite, the town filled with young families, so safe and simple. Harrison gulped the last of his coffee down and watched as the children scattered around the cafe began to run towards the red school house. He stood up throwing his payment onto the table.

"Come on lads, time for work"

Sully looked up as Michaela marched into what would be the operating theatre. Her eyes were clouded with anger.

"Katie, I told you to come directly to the clinic when school finished" Michaela started to chastise her daughter. Katie turned solemnly her face covered in a thin film of white dust.

"I wanted to help Pa," Katie stared up at mother sadly "You weren't supposed to see this yet"

"Oh?" Michaela whispered softly, taking in the partially tiled room. Her eyes falling on the piece of wall her daughter had been working on. A small mosaic of what appeared to be a stethoscope entwined with a feather

"You like it" Katie asked nervously.

Michaela nodded and held out her arms for her daughter.

Harrison looked up from his work and watched the mother and daughter hugs, smiling as he took in the sight. Both of females radiated beauty, a beauty enhanced by their tender embrace. Harrison jumped at the sound of Sully clearing his throat. Guilty Harrison broke his gaze from Katie and her mother. Sully stared pointedly at him, a look of displeasure across his face. He was used to men being enthused by Michaela, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

Meekly Harrison dropped his tools and rushed from the room, the foreman was an imposing man. Breathing heavily Harrison stopped by the drink station and took a cup carefully pouring himself a cup of water, in an attempt to calm himself down.

"It's hard work, isn't it?" Harrison spun round, Katie smiled innocently up at him "Don't mind Pa, he gets very protective of Ma"

"He does?" Harrison whispered handing the pretty young girl a cup.

"Uh huh, on account of her being so pretty" Katie poured herself a drink "You can come back to work now"

Harrison followed the girl remaining one step behind her, watching her walk her blonde hair bouncing softly with each step. He paused trying to calm himself. The little girl ran to her mother, wrapping her free arm around Michaela's waist. Harrison watched the pair as they stood serenely in each other's embrace.

It was too much and Harrison dropped his mug, turning quickly from the beautiful scene.

Michaela watched with mild concern one of the workers rushed from the area.
"Do you think he's alright?" Katie asked watching the man rush off.

"Oh I'm sure he's fine" Michaela soothed her daughter "Katie your mosaic is beautiful."

Several men looked up as Harrison rushed past them but not one of them tried to stop him, he was not their friend and his behaviour was of little interest to them. Harrison rushed from the partially finished hospital, struggling to take a deep enough breathe to calm him. He was having to fight so hard, fight his urges so strongly, he had to he knew, he couldn't go from town to town fulfilling his wishes, he just wished somewhere there would be a place where he didn't feel so confronted by his preferences.

His mind muddled with a million thoughts Harrison rushed towards the train station, he did not need to get his belongings, there was nothing of any value to him. He just knew that he needed to get out of this town before he did anything to damage that beautiful little girl.